Irvine charities' holiday wish lists

If you want to give gifts or supplies to those who are in need this holiday season, here are some Irvine-based nonprofit organizations and the ways in which you can help their efforts.

FAMILIES FORWARD

Adopt-a-Family: Families Forward assists families in financial crisis to achieve and maintain self-sufficiency. Each December, generous donors help to make the holidays a little brighter for local families in need by giving gifts as well as gas and grocery cards. In 2011, donors brought holiday cheer to more than 600 families in Orange County, and we hope to serve as many or more families this year. Donors can get involved by adopting one or more families and purchasing gifts for the minor-age children in those families. On average, donors can expect to spend between $100 and $200 per family, depending on family size. Please contact Families Forward for more information.

Contact: Sarah Lawrence, 949-379-8325

Website: families-forward.org

HUMAN OPTIONS INC.

Human Options Inc., a nonprofit that helps battered women and their families, has several holiday programs for which donors are needed.

The most popular program is Adopt-a-Family, in which individuals or groups are matched with a family and provided with their holiday gift request list. The suggested gift amount is $35 per person, and participants may specify what size family they would like to adopt. Contact: Lauren Webber, 949-737-5242, ext. 230

Aids Services Foundation is looking for donors to provide some secret assistance to parents during the holiday season. Your generosity would touch the life of a child affected by HIV/AIDS in Orange County. Each year, the foundation seeks donations to help provide some holiday cheer to about 150 children. The group is looking for organizations or individuals to sponsor a child or family or to organize a donation drive.

Contact: Carolyn Spivak, 949-809-5771

Website: ocasf.org

SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK

Second Harvest helps feed those who are hungry, including hard-working adults and seniors who cannot make ends meet and are forced to go without food for several meals or days.

Serve: The group needs volunteers to plan and host food drives to collect food items for families in need.